Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In Kabul, Afghan and Uzbek entrepreneurs signed cooperation agreements worth more than US$20 million, according to Ariana News and ToloNews.

The document was concluded during a joint business forum organized by the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), which brought together business leaders and entrepreneurs from both countries.

Speaking at the event, Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Industry and Trade, Nooruddin Azizi, emphasized the need to strengthen ties between the private sectors of the two nations.

“Trade and economic relations between Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries, especially the Republic of Uzbekistan, have reached an unprecedented level, rarely seen in history,” Azizi noted. He stressed that continued private sector efforts should lead to greater trade volumes and a more balanced trade relationship. According to ToloNews, he also voiced plans to boost trade turnover with Uzbekistan to US$3 billion.

Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Kabul, Oybek Usmanov, confirmed Tashkent’s readiness to enhance bilateral cooperation. “We are prepared to increase trade volume to US$2 billion in the coming years,” Ariana News quoted him as saying. He also pointed out that Afghan exports to Uzbekistan had surged by 300 percent in the first half of this year, ToloNews reported.

Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Sayed Karim Hashimi, highlighted the importance of government support for entrepreneurs. “If long-term multiple-entry business visas and other crucial consular services are not provided, we will not see significant trade expansion,” he warned, urging a swift signing of the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.

Bakhodir Toshmatov, Head of Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Exporters, described the meeting as a milestone: “Trade relations between our countries are expanding every day. We have signed numerous commercial agreements under this partnership. This meeting is aimed at finding new ways to further strengthen cooperation between the private sectors of both nations.”

First Deputy Head of ACCI Mohammad Younus Momand called for the creation of a regional joint chamber of commerce linking Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.

At the close of the forum, representatives of the private sectors of both countries underlined the importance of simplifying visa procedures, introducing preferential tariffs, creating favorable conditions for investors, boosting cooperation on contract implementation, and establishing joint chambers of commerce between Kabul and Tashkent.